Is bleeding 12 days after a Rhinoplasty normal?

Post-operative bleeding can occur after nasal surgery.  It's an uncommon event but can happen.  Sometimes it occurs immediately, other times it can be delayed while things are healing.  It's good that you saw your surgeon soon thereafter as nosebleeds can be serious if not dealt with expeditiously.  Best of luck.

Although not expected, bleeding can occur after rhinplasty.  If it is copious, packing might be necessary.  It should not affect your final result.

Late bleeds are uncommon but can happen, Typically patients put their head in a downward position or strains. This can change blood pressure and cause bleeding, I've seen this late bleed in a facelift patient that started working in her garden. Please follow you surgeons instructions completely and carefully, you will do well.Good LuckStephen M. Davis, MD, FACSGreen Hills Plastic Surgery

Although significant post-operative bleeding is not "normal", it is one of the more common complications following nasal surgery. Most of time, rhinoplasty patients experience moderate oozing of blood for the first 2-3 days following rhinoplasty, but this slows down rather quickly. Occasionally, bleeding can be incited while cleaning the incisions or if mild trauma to the area (such as an accidental bump) happens. Bleeding that requires packing at 12 days post-operatively is not usual but does not mean that anything is wrong with your rhinoplasty. After rhinoplasty, depending upon how much work you had performed, any pre-existing bleeding disorders, and whether you are taking medications that increase the chances of bleeding (such as ibuprofen and other NSAIDs), more or less bleeding can occur. Typically, even significant bleeding requiring packing occurs from very small vessel along the lining of the septum or sidewall. More rarely, larger caliber vessels may have been damaged and bleed more profusely. Even in such cases, temporary packing can fix the issue, allowing the vessel to heal. In some instances, your surgeon may need to take a closer look and cauterize the bleeding site with a variety of different methods depending on the area that is bleeding and the degree/volume of blood flow. Best of luck to you!

NO! Why have you not seen your chosen operative surgeon concerning this worrisome postoperative issue??? More often......

Although it is unusual I have seen patients bleed spontaneously after 11 days (she was trying on shoes in Palm Beach) and after 14 days (following a coughing spell).  they both stopped with packing and fortunately both patients did fine with beautiful results.  I'm sure a few days of packing and you will be fine.

It is a little unusual to develop bleeding to that extent 12 days after a rhinoplasty.  It is good that you went back to your surgeon and he evaluated you and treated the issue appropriately.  In cases such as this, placing a pack and leaving it in place for a couple days may be all that is required to solve this problem while you heal. As frustrating as this may sound, you may never find the exact source of bleeding as it may resolve while the pack is in place. Be patient and make sure that you follow up with your surgeon regularly throughout the healing process to ensure an optimal result.